Medical ID Tags, Bracelets

[Ginosmommy]

I just ordered one of those "dog tag" medical alert tags to be engraved and put basic info on it for the time being because I was not sure what I would put on the bracelet's and not sure I would actually wear it. The tag allowed me 5 lines and comes with a key chain type attachment which I plan to attach to my purse. this is what I put on it.

Multiple Sclerosis
Blood Type: A Neg
Medications:
Extavia, Depo-Provera
Topiramate, Tramadol

Those are what I consider my pertinant information at the moment - what do you guys think? If I were to do a bracelet with only 4 lines would you just take out the "medications" line? What do you have on yours if you have one?

I looked in the search column and it really didn't bring me up much as far as it being discussed in the past - I do think this is an important thing to have if you are diagnosed or not so that emergency personel know you have neurological problems. Sorry for any spelling issues, having major cog problems lately! Inquiring minds want to know.

MeLissa

[GrannyJo6]

I have had a bracelet for a number of years and this discussion reminds me that I need to update the info! Mine is fairly small and only has the 1-800 number on it to call and my health concerns and member number. Everything else is available to emergency room personel or EMTs when they call. I also can print off a page that lists everything like meds, etc. I've given it to doctors, even my dentist and they have all been glad to have it! I've had if off for awhile - I must have had some procedure that required all metal off. Who can remember? Anyway, I've never had to use it, but after this latest exacerbatiion I think I'd better get it updated and back on my wrist! I was with people who know me, but what if I'd been at the mall or out for a walk? Yes, I think they are a good idea and they have some quite attractive pendants and bracelets available. It is worth the price for me!

[tyler911]

Hi

I actually carry a small ubs medical alert stick that can be plugged into any computer,

it has the medical logo on the front and, I have scanned every single one of my tests docs notes etc and prescriptions onto the memory stick,

All my medications are listed, the dosage and also previous medications, and why i stopped them

The memory stick can be worn as a necklace or a bracelet, they are not the cheapest of devices, but certainly hold everything a medic or doc would ever need to know about you, in the event of an emergency,

It can be updated by you at any time, i do mine weekly or after each docs visit, I always ask now for a copy of the docs notes and any tests ordered, scan them and then add it to the memory stick

Just thought I would add another avenue, as I do know that a lot of the medical bracelets do not give you enough room to add everything

tyler

[Wind_and_Water]

I like the idea of a bracelet, with an emergency contact, plus a list of major health conditions that could cause a life-threatening situation (such as medication allergies or contra-indications).

However, I'm not a fan of the electronic databases of medical records (sorry Lulu).

The usual risks are identity theft, extortion, and ruined reputations (care to have your psychiatric diagnoses revealed?  how about your AIDS?  or your history of substance abuse?  you get the idea).

But there's a health risk, too.  Medical identity thieves are tampering with and altering the actual medial information, in order to steal medical services for themselves.  This is very dangerous, especially in emergency situations when the doctors don't have time to verify your allergies and so on.

These articles describe some of the safety & security problems with electronic medical records...

(1)   Example of a single data breach.  A former employee of MedicAlert stole 10,000 patient records from their database;  she had worked for MedicAlert for 6 years;  she was the manager of the MedicAlert call center.
http://www.fresnobee.com/2007/09/01/v-print/127094/ex-medicalert-employee-had-record.html

(2)   Widespread data breaches.  "Data Hemorrhages in the Health-Care Sector," a research report prepared by M. Eric Johnson (Professor of Science of Administration, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth;  Director of the Glassmeyer/McNamee Center for Digital Strategies).
http://patientprivacyrights.org/media/JohnsonHemorrhagesFC09d.pdf

(3)   Government databases are not secure, either.  For example, Virginia discovered its State prescription drug database was hacked.  "35 million of the most sensitive prescription records [such as for Oxycontin, Valium, Vicodin and Ritalin] were accessed."
http://www2.newsadvance.com/lna/news/state_regional/article/virginia_computer_security_breach_halts_some_painkiller_prescriptions/17341/

"[The hackers] deleted records on more than 8 million patients and replaced the site's homepage with a ransom note demanding $10 million for the return of the records."
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2009/05/hackers_break_into_virginia_he.html

(4)  Lack of medical data security was already known to be a serious problem under the Bush administration, as reported in the New York Times in 2007.  (I only wish the NY Times was as vigilant in reporting the ongoing security problems under a Democratic president, today, as they were under a Republican president.)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/18/washington/18health.html?_r=1&pagewanted=print

(5)   "The Syndrome of Inappropriate Overconfidence
in Computing" appears in the Summer 2009 issue of "The Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons."  The author is a physician and his views are representative of a growing number of medical professionals.
http://www.jpands.org/vol14no2/silverstein.pdf

(6)   Also, you should learn about certain clauses in the software vendor contracts.

The Non-disclosure Clauses "prohibit health care providers and their facilities from sharing information outside of their facilities regarding product defects and other HIT product-related concerns."  Hiding software defects surely results in unnecessary injury and death.
http://www.fiercehealthit.com/story/grassley-vendor-gag-orders-prevent-hit-issues-being-reported-and-resolved/2010-01-25

And there's the Hold Harmless Clause.  "Health care information technology (HIT) vendors enjoy a contractual and legal structure that renders them virtually liability free—"hold harmless" is the term of art—even when their proprietary products may be implicated in adverse events involving patients."
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/extract/301/12/1276



Just some things to think about, before participating in an electronic medical records (EMR) database.  :)

[Rena705]

I am seriously considering getting a bracelet due to my Asthma and COPD and all the meds I am on.  My gp's office is so ridiculously behind in the times they haven't even started to put patient's information on a computer system so that is something that is not even worth looking at!  My Mom just got one as she is on blood thinners and has pulmonary fibrosis so it is imperative that this info is available.  

Now, the next step will be to gather up all my old gold and have someone melt it down and take out the REAL gold and then I can either sell it so I can have enough money to buy one OR they can make me one out of the old gold that I have lying around!  hehe

Lots of Hugs,
Rena

[Sailorsong]

First of all mine would need to be 2 feet by 3 feet in size just to list my allergies :)

A couple of months ago I saw an ad on TV ( I no longer get any TV) about some company that uses a web site to keep track of your meds ( suppose to be secure?) and you carry a medical alert braclet that has your ID number and there phone number. The EMT just calls the number and gives them the ID and then can access all of the medical stuff you have put on the web site ( Alergies, current meds, etc.).

Dennis

[Zacksmomi]

The only thing I have considered getting an ID for would be specific MS conditions.
I have nystgmus in my right eye and my pupils often stay dialated on their own.  I would want emergency personel to know this and not think I am drunk or high.  

Also I think if you have any limbs other parts that are often numb, this could lead EMT's to make the wrong conclusion, so you may want to list that.  

Obviously any meds that would be harmful to miss, allergies, adverse reactions to meds and serious other conditions are something I would list on my person if it were an issue.  

Otherwise, I have been meaning to follow Alex's advice.  She mentioned the paper in the wallet and on file for Dr's a while ago and I still havn't done it.  

I have not written it all down yet but I intend to do so this weekend.  

That is what I think...seems to be the same as everyone else :)

Oh and as for husbands, mine is great, but he seems to think the answer for spasticity is exercise.  They take training normally, so you gotta figure MS is is just an extra lesson for them.  LOL!!

take care
D